Advanced Family Preservation Specialist (70560)

DEFINITION:

A community-based provider who conducts social services in the home to families referred through the contact with the Department of Human Services (DHS). The goal of the services is to maintain children in their own home or to reunify families after an out-of-home placement has occurred.

SUPERVISION :

Position is supervised by the Program Manager assigned by the Director of Family Preservation Services.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

- Promotes an organizational culture within Family Preservation Services and NorthCare that values excellent services, professionalism in presentation as a representative of the program and NorthCare and is warm and engaging. Promotes such values with interactions with fellow staff, consumers and community partners.

- Conducts services that are sensitive with respect to each family's culture, ethnic origin, race, language, gender, age, religion, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, mental and/or physical challenges. Provides services in a natural environment convenient to the family.

- Ensures families are seen a minimum of one (l) time per week, no less than an hour per family. Service intensity will increase when there are increased safety risks or needs identified in the home.

- Demonstrates the ability to teach communication and negotiation skills. Provides advocacy on behalf of families with schools and other agencies available in the community. Assists consumers in the pursuit of needed resources or services. Arranges for any follow-up services needed following the end of services.

- Assists with intake staff meetings at DHS such as: Family Team Meetings, Family Group Conferences or Court Reviews; and conducts home visits for providers who are on PTO or otherwise out of the office. Assists Program Manager with the training of new staff including pairing on case, offering observations, and leading training sessions.

- Completes intake documentation within 24 hours, progress notes within 72 hours, planned discharges within 24 hours of obtaining signatures and unplanned discharges within 72 hours of directive.

- Conducts a multi-level family assessment, develops an intervention plan and provides an array of needed services. Provides parent-child visitation and family reunification services to families whose children are in state custody.

- Coordinates services in a professional manner when collaborating with other service providers to maintain good working relationships in the community.

- Demonstrates the ability to teach and model skills from the SafeCare Models in Health, Safety, and Planned Activity Training to facilitate the parent's development of special skills or increase knowledge in the areas of parenting, home management, behavior management, and child development.

- Performs at least I home visits per quarter under the observation of the SafeCare Coach/Trainer to demonstrate the implementation of the SafeCare Models and maintain National SafeCare Home Visitor certification.

- Maintains professional competency in his/her discipline through appropriate professional readings, attendance at workshops and conferences and through consultation with other professionals.

- Works a 40-hour full-time schedule being available to families 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Evening and weekend hours will be required to accommodate the work schedule of each caregiver and school schedules of the children in the family when scheduling appointments.

- Utilizes the outlook calendar to submit a weekly schedule to the Program Manager which outlines scheduled appointments for the week. The schedule must include the consumers name and KK number, current address and telephone number. The Family Preservation Specialist must notify Program Manager of any alterations to the schedule (cancellations, new appointments, missed appointments etc.).

- Always be available by cell phone and respond to all work-related calls within 60 minutes of receiving a voice mail message and read and respond to emails daily.

- Attends all agency and program required training with Coach/Trainer, DHS staff meetings and program staff meetings as scheduled.

- Assists Program Manager with case reviews or other duties assigned by executive leadership as needed.

Qualifications

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Bachelors degree in social work or related human services field. A masters degree in social work or related field is preferred. Minimum of one year in a Family Preservation Specialist role demonstrating that productivity and documentation requirements were met and possess the National SafeCare Home Visitor Certification. Knowledge of family systems, cultural and ethnic diversity, client engagement and community resources. Experience in assessment and intervention is desired.

Position requires in-state travel. Must have reliable transportation. Must possess and provide verification of valid driver's license and must maintain and provide verification of current automobile liability insurance and uninsured motorist coverage.

Must display proficiency in the MS Office processing software and intermediate computer skills. Excellent written and oral skills are essential, along with strong organizational skills. Must demonstrate good interpersonal skills and display effective verbal and written communication skills. Casual professional dress required. Must be able to bend, stoop, climb stairs and move about freely. Must be able to communicate clearly and effectively using the English language.

Due to nature of contract, candidates & employees must report to NorthCare any current or prior confirmed record of child abuse as an adult. Any such confirmed record must be reviewed by the NorthCare Executive Team for hiring approval or, for current employees, continued employment with NorthCare.

Must complete all NorthCare required training within 30 days of employment with NorthCare. Must have TB test within 12 months prior to employment with NorthCare or obtain within 30 days of employment with NorthCare.

NorthCare employee is responsibility for adhering to any and all laws, professional standards and ethical codes that apply to his/her job responsibilities.